MARIETTA, Ga. – An Atlanta area prosecutor says a grand jury found an officer was justified in shooting a man outside the tire store where he worked.

Police have said Smyrna police Sgt. Kenneth Owens shot 23-year-old Nicholas Thomas on March 24 as he drove a customer's Maserati toward officers who were trying to serve him with a parole violation warrant.

Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said in an emailed statement Thursday that a grand jury recommended no further action.

Reynolds said he sympathizes with Thomas' family. But he said the police officers are authorized to shoot to protect themselves or others and that that's what happened in this case.

Attorney Mawuli Davis, who represents Thomas' family, said he's meeting with the family to discuss next steps and had no immediate comment.